The landscape of my healing journey looks like the Alps . I crest one peak, but then there’s a whole mountain
range with multiple peaks that still need to be explored. This journey is not
without its avalanches or crevices, which also need to be experienced and not
simply avoided.
I’m still in search of inspiration for a poem that I’m
supposed to write, but I’m stuck in a rut – the daily “shoulds / shouldn’ts” of
work creep into my thoughts. I easily get lost in all the chaos. I’m torn
between flight and fight and it’s left me feeling immobilized by fear, stress,
anxiety and bitterness.
So I’m taking this moment to write and to remind myself of
the Nine Commandments of Creativity, outlined in the documentary Cue the Muse. It’s a film about re-discovering
one’s creativity, and the sense of release and freedom experienced when you
allow yourself to follow this path. The film was a re-awakening for me and I’ve
tried to apply these commandments as a way of life.
1. Touch an emotional
place within – We mustn’t deny ourselves our emotions – good or bad.
Emotions are a source of power, and the place they occupy within us can be a
spring of inspiration. I’m learning to understand my emotions – how its energy
needs to be used then released, rather than controlled and contained. The
emotions are often very raw, but it helps me to be and stay true to myself.
2. Work mulishly with
discipline – I hated my daily violin practices as a child. And yet, through
practice, I excelled in music. Unfortunately, back then, I didn’t know how to connect
with Commandment #1, and so I walked away from my creative self. Now, I am
working back towards that disciplined self, setting up a daily practice of
exploration, and learning to push through the pain and discomfort. Creative
passion isn’t pulled from thin air – like life, it needs to be cultivated and
nurtured and that takes discipline.
3. Learn the rules
(so you can break them) – This is a commandment that I’m still trying to
figure out for myself. There are a number
of life rules, but for now, I’m working on learning and embracing these nine
commandments of creativity. It goes
hand-in-hand with Commandment #2.
4. Fall forward with
confidence – The filmmaker talked of having a certain attitude, in which
I’ve interpreted as involving a certain optimism and conviction of oneself.
It’s about staying in the present and not allowing regression to hold you back. I’m also learning to trust my gut feelings
and believing in my abilities to see how things naturally unfold.
5. Never give up –
I had adopted the mantra “persevere and live deliberately” a little while back
and I’ve resurrected it again. As a being, you make a commitment to yourself
and you accept the reality of life’s challenges because the reward is being
able to come out on the other side with a body of work that reveals the truth.
6. Take risks and
expose yourself – This is a commandment that I struggle with the most – I
don’t like being vulnerable. It’s easy to self-censor my feelings and over
think things. But through creative expression, it’s become a way to push past
my boundaries, test out the impulses to explore ideas, let go of my inhibitions,
and connect deeper to my authentic self.
7. Memento mori
(Remember that you will die) – This is an artistic expression in which
artists use to symbolize and explore the eventuality of death. It also serves
as a reminder to clear the viewing lens and experience life with humility, to
maintain a level of awareness of body, mind and spirit, and to appreciate that we
are capable of continuing forward because we haven’t reached death’s door yet –
there is still time and space to create and bring things to life.
8. Invite the muses
in – In the film, the artists
talked of trust, going into a zone and of something guiding their creativity.
I’m learning to understand the difference between being lonely and being alone
– that when I’m still, I know I’m ready and I’m able to sense a powerful
vibration that ignites my passions. When the commandments are followed, things
fall into place – there is beauty, clarity and a deep connection to self.
9. Have fun and be
free – I’m re-learning to embrace and call up my inner child and
remembering what it’s like to experience life with abandon - letting the energy
flow and living with my five senses. But I’m also re-learning to accept
pleasure into my life and letting my sense of wonder and my curiosity lead me
in this journey.
Which commandments resonate with you the most?
Do you have your own set of commandments that you follow?
